Cory McBrown: Year 1-Chapter 10

31st of October, 2001

“Halloween (or Samhain)”

Today is the day! Since it is a “Halloween” dance, students have the option to go to the dance in costume. Of course, because we are who we are, Sam, John, Bart, and I decide to do just that. I go as Padmé Amidala from The Phantom Menace, so Bart matches by going as Obi-Wan. John goes as Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast, so Trudy actually goes as Lumiere. Sam had to convince Harry Barton, but they go as Mulan and Mushu from Mulan.

It does turn a few heads when Bart shows up, but I assure some of the other kids that he’s my brother chaperoning for me.

The dance was fun, but we all got kind of bored with it after a while. So we all ditched the dance and went to Box of Frogs to load up on pastries and stuff to take back home.

But then came my favorite part of the Samhain; the part where we decorate an altar with photos of our ancestors, or passed on loved ones. I’ve never actually known anyone, at least not that well, who died. Great-grandma Lennox (one of Dad’s grandmas) died three years ago. But I didn’t know her that well.

We also don’t put EVERY one of our ancestors on the altar, because otherwise, the table would collapse. We have a lot of relatives. The ones on the table are Great-grandma and Great-Grandda Lennox, and great-grandma and great-grandda P-Feiffer-Finnegan, and Great-Grandma P-Feiffer-Finnegan’s brother, who everyone called Willy Wilkenhein. Also, Willy’s “friend” Ben Radcliffe. I say “friend” because not everyone in the family likes to talk about this, I don’t know why. But Mum explained to me that Willy and Ben were essentially married. I don’t get what the big deal is about two men being married. As long as they weren’t cousins. That would be one thing. Otherwise, I’m not sure why some people pretend that it wasn’t true. We also add Sam and John’s parents, who if you recall, died when they were three. We also have Bart’s hamster, Floofy, from when he was in 6th class. That’s a long story and I feel he wouldn’t want me telling you. He might tell it someday. We have a few other pets, and Mum’s grandparents.

We stand around the altar and remember our loved ones, and then Mum lets us stay up late and watch Hocus Pocus.

By then it’s half eleven and Sam and John have to get home. Tomorrow is a school day. I say good night to them and then go upstairs and get ready for bed myself.

Mum and Bart both come in to tuck me in. Bart kisses me on the forehead. “I had fun tonight, sis.”

I smile. “So you’re not going to become the older brother who doesn’t ever want to be around his sister?”

Bart makes a face. “Don’t you think if I was that person I would’ve done it already?”

I laugh. “Probably.”

“I love you,” he tousles my hair.

Bart gets up and Mum sits down and hugs and kisses me. “Did I tell you how proud I am of you telling us how you feel?”

I shake my head. “I’m proud of you. And I love you.”

“I love you guys, too,” I say, hugging Mum, and gesturing for Bart to join in. He does.

“Every once in a while it occurs to me that I won the kid lottery. I have the kindest, most giving kids, who protect each other as much as they take care of themselves… And I didn’t even have to teach them that.”

“Well, you did,” Bart says.

“I know. But you two were born that way.”

We hug for a few more moments, and then Mum says. “Alright. I love you, but it’s late, and I’d like to go to bed.”

I laugh. “I love you guys.”

“You too,” Bart says. He looks at Mum. “You too, Mum.”

“I love you, sweetie.” Mum and Bart hug.

Then they start to leave. “Good night,” Mum says.

“Good night,” I say, as Mum closes the door.

I lie awake, looking at the moon. She’s almost full. A full moon on the Samhain is pretty special.

You know what else I realized? My family’s pretty special, too. We have difficult times, but we also love each other. And I know I say Sam and John are my friends, but they’re more than that. Sam and John are part of my family. Sam is like my sister. I can’t imagine having if she hadn’t been there when I got my period. And we talk about everything. John never ceases to make me laugh, and he gives some of the best hugs. If I ever just need someone to hug me, without advice or anything, John is that person. I can’t imagine my life without them, or without Bart. I know I’m gonna grow up one day and Mum won’t be a part of my daily life, but I feel like I’ll always be close to her. Bart and I may drift apart since he is four years older than me. He’s gonna leave home before me. He’s probably gonna have a kid and/or get married before me. I just hope that Bart and I stay close in some way. He is a little irritating sometimes, but I adore him. And I also adore Jenny. I know we’ll have a different relationship since she’s much younger than me, but I still adore her. I can honestly say I don’t know if I love Edward, but I like him, and I’m grateful he brought Jenny into our lives.

In short, I love my family and my friends. So far, secondary school doesn’t seem that bad. It’ll be interesting to see where teenage hood takes me next year…

The End

The characters

Cory McBrown: Age 12. Cancer Sun/Capricorn Moon/Aries Rising. Main Protagonist. Inspired by the author.

Barty McBrown: Age 16. Virgo Sun/Capricorn Moon/Capricorn Rising. Cory’s older brother. Inspired by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Samantha McBride: Age 13. Gemini Sun/Gemini Moon/Libra Rising. Cory’s best friend. John’s twin. Inspired by Eliza Bennett

John McBride: Age 13. Gemini Sun/Taurus Moon/Libra Rising. Cory’s other best friend. Sam’s twin. Inspired by Ryan Cartwright.

Brienna McConnell: Age 35. Taurus Sun/Aquarius Moon. Cory, Bart, and Jenny’s mother.

Jenny McConnell: Age 2. Taurus Sun/Leo Moon. Cory and Bart’s little sister.

Edward O’Donoghue: Age 46. Aries Sun. Cory and Bart’s stepfather. Low-key implied to be the uncle of Danny O’Donoghue of The Script.

Trudy O’Neil: Age 13. John’s big crush.

Mary Donogal: Age 16. Bart’s girlfriend.

Mistress McDowell: Age 52. Headmistress at Bantry Bay Alternative Education Secondary School.

Iain McGarrey: Age 16. Bart’s best friend.

Ms. Conway: Age 41. Sam and John’s foster mother.

“Rooster” McClaggen: Age 17. Bart’s bully.

Mr. Maloney: Age 39. Senior cycle PE Teacher.